The P.R.I.S.M Of The Gospel (pt 1)
‘And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.’ (John 3:19–21, ESV)
- P - Firstly, Nicodemus wanted to know what he must do in order to accomplish new life. So Jesus tells him that
spiritual, supernatural new birth must take place as an act of God (vv.5-7). Jesus said, in essence, ‘it’s a work of God, not a work of man.’ Paul speaks of this same thing where he says ‘For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation’ (Galatians 6:15, ESV). This speaks to Nicodemus’ pride, that he can’t achieve salvation apart from total surrender to Christ. Surrendering to what Jesus wants for us is a daily act (cf Romans 12:1-2). The extent to which we surrender to Him will be the extent to which the prism of Christ is displayed more unashamedly in our lives.
- R - Secondly, further down the passage, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus’ religion and points him to a story in the Old 
Testament where God delivered the Hebrew people from snakes (Numbers 21). The solution to the problem was to look at a bronze snake in faith for healing. In the same way, in verse 14, Jesus talks of the serpent on the pole and how God makes a provision so that the people can have life rather than death. This speaks to Nicodemus’ religion, that he can’t win salvation apart from through faith in Jesus. The extent to which we look to Christ as the only solution for our provision of life will be the extent to which the prism of Christ is displayed more fully in our lives.
- I - Thirdly, Jesus tells Nicodemus in verse eight about the wind and how it blows where it wishes. This speaks to 
Nicodemus’ intellect; he can’t figure it out and put it into some kind of formula. There isn’t a strategy for working out where and when the wind will blow. Just as no one can explain the wind, no one can explain the working of the Spirit. It just blows. Nicodemus can’t gain salvation apart from the Spirit’s power to blow. The extent to which we look for and invite the Spirit to blow through us will be extent to which the prism of Christ is displayed more continually in our lives.
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